Programs at the School

Escola Estrela do Mar embodies some of the fine aspects of humanity. They have an ´Adopt a Grandmother´ program here where each month a different class visits a nearby nursing home for elderly women, some of whom have been abandoned and have no visitors. Yet with this gesture there are suddenly kids all around talking to and hugging the grandmothers, bringing them joy and love. Its a very moving experience and teaches the kids many things about old age, respect for elders, kindness, compassion and giving.

I went along on the most recent visit with the kids, the idea being that we could sing a song that we had been learning. Its a kind of call and reponse song which I play on the Berimbau. It was really rewarding to offer this to the elderly women and also to see how much the kids had already learned from my classes.

Below is a video I made about the visit. Its also the first video that Ive written music to which was an amazing experience. I played and recorded the guitar parts, added other sounds and then also used some vocals from my dear friend Behiye that we recorded at a rehearsal in my studio in Sydney earlier this year.

If you actually click on the video below where it says “You Tube” it will open a new window with a much larger player. The video is in High Definition – so click that little HD button for maximum enjoyment!